Isla POV
Power is burning through my veins like liquid fire, and I have no idea how to control it.
Brutus scrambles backward, his yellow eyes wide with fear. "You're one of THEM. The Old Blood. The Cursed Ones."
"I don't know what I am!" My voice echoes with power I don't understand. Silver light pulses from my skin in waves. "But if you don't leave RIGHT NOW, we're both going to find out."
He shifts into his full bear form and runs. An Alpha bear—the creature that terrified me minutes ago—runs from ME.
The second he's gone, my legs give out.
"Isla!" Caius catches me before I hit the ground, but even that small movement makes him gasp in pain. Through our bond, I feel his weakness like it's my own. He gave me everything to complete the bond, and now he can barely stand.
"I'm sorry," I whisper, clinging to him. "This is my fault. The incomplete bond, draining you—"
"Stop." He cups my face with shaking hands. "You're alive. That's all that matters."
The system explodes with notifications, making us both flinch.
[CONGRATULATIONS! FIRST BOND COMPLETE!]
[WOLF ABILITIES UNLOCKED:]• Enhanced Senses (Smell, Hearing, Night Vision)• Mental Link with Caius (Emotions, Location, Danger Sense)• Increased Healing Speed• Basic Wolf Communication
[BONUS UNLOCKED: HIDDEN BLOODLINE DETECTED]
[You are a descendant of the Moon Goddess - Last of the Divine Females]
[WARNING: Your awakening has been detected by:]• The Dark King (wants to consume your power)• The Beast Council (wants to control you)• Ancient Guardians (wants to test you)• All seven of your destined mates (now being drawn to you by divine pull)
[New Quest: SURVIVE THE HUNT][Every powerful creature in the Beastworld now knows you exist][Time until Dark King's forces arrive: 6 HOURS]
My blood runs cold. "Six hours?"
"What does your spirit guide say?" Caius asks weakly.
I explain quickly, and his face goes from weak to furious. "The Dark King. He's been hunting for divine bloodlines for centuries. He kills them and absorbs their power."
"Well, that's just great." I laugh bitterly. "I've been in this world for three days and I'm already on a murder list."
"Not murder." Caius's amber eyes blaze despite his exhaustion. "Sacrifice. He'll take you to his temple and drain you slowly over months. You'll beg for death long before he grants it."
Through our bond, I feel his absolute terror at that possibility.
"Then we run," I say firmly. "You said your pack needs help anyway. We'll gather them and disappear somewhere safe."
"There is nowhere safe from the Dark King." He struggles to stand, and I support his weight even though I'm not much stronger. "His hunters track by magic, not scent. And my pack—" His voice breaks. "They're already dying, Isla. I can't protect them AND you from an army."
"Then we make allies." I pull up the system screen, scrolling through the information desperately. "The system says I need seven mates, right? Seven bonds. What if each bond gives me more power? Enough to defend myself?"
Caius's wolf growls through our link—possessive, jealous, angry. But his human mind understands. "Six more bonds in six hours? Impossible. Most bonding rituals take days of trust-building. You can't just—"
Thunder crashes overhead, and the temperature drops twenty degrees in seconds.
Through the cave entrance, snow begins to fall. But it's not regular snow—it's black, swirling with red light, hissing where it touches the ground.
"Dark magic," Caius whispers. "He's marking this territory. His hunters will converge here."
The system flashes urgently.
[EMERGENCY QUEST UPDATE!]
[Second Destined Mate detected nearby - drawn by your awakening]
[Species: UNKNOWN - Power Level: EXTREME]
[Location: Approaching from the North]
[ETA: 3 minutes]
[WARNING: This male is DANGEROUS and UNSTABLE]
[Approach with caution OR flee immediately]
"We have company," I tell Caius. "Another potential mate. Coming from the north."
He tries to shift into wolf form and fails, collapsing against me. "I can't... I'm too weak to protect you..."
The guilt crushes me. He destroyed himself saving my life, and now he can't even defend himself.
"Then I'll protect us both," I say, surprised by how much I mean it.
Through our bond, I feel his shock—and his pride. His fierce, clever mate is learning to be strong.
The cave entrance suddenly explodes inward, stone and ice flying everywhere. A massive shape lands in the center of the space, and the temperature spikes from freezing to volcanic heat in one second.
When the smoke clears, I see him.
A man who isn't entirely a man. Tall and broad, with crimson scales covering parts of his arms and chest. His eyes are molten gold—literally glowing like lava. Black hair falls to his shoulders, and when he breathes, smoke curls from his nostrils.
Dragon.
He stares at me with an intensity that makes my skin prickle. Then his gaze shifts to Caius, and his lip curls in disgust.
"A wolf." His voice is deep and crackling with heat. "Of course a wolf got to her first. Always sniffing around, claiming things they can't protect."
Caius snarls weakly. "She's my mate. Leave, dragon, before I—"
"Before you what? Pass out?" The dragon laughs, and it sounds like rockslides. "You can barely stand. The Dark King's forces are six hours away, and you think you can protect a divine female in this condition?"
He turns those burning eyes back to me. "I am Draven Emberclaw, Warlord of the Red Mountains. I felt your awakening from a hundred miles away. Divine blood calls to ancient bloodlines, and my lineage is older than your wolf's pack has existed."
"Charming introduction," I say sarcastically, even though my heart is hammering. "Do you always break into people's caves?"
His eyes widen slightly—surprised by my tone. Then he grins, showing sharp teeth. "You have fire in you. Good. You'll need it."
He steps closer, and Caius tries to move between us despite his weakness. Draven waves his hand, and invisible force pins Caius against the wall.
"Stop!" I scream. "Let him go!"
"He's weak and useless right now." Draven studies me like I'm a puzzle. "You completed a bond while malnourished and dying. Stupid, but brave. Now you've awakened divine blood and marked yourself for death. Even more stupid."
"I'm having a great week," I snap. "What do you want?"
"You need mates. Powerful mates. I'm offering." He says it bluntly, without romance. "Bond with me, and I'll take you to my mountain fortress. The Dark King's forces can't breach dragon fire. You'll be safe."
"And Caius?"
"The wolf comes too, I suppose. Though he'll be useless for weeks until he recovers."
Through our bond, I feel Caius's rage and humiliation. But also his logic working—he knows Draven is right. We can't survive six hours out here alone.
The system chimes.
[SECOND MATE OPPORTUNITY: Draven Emberclaw]
[Species: Ancient Dragon]
[Compatibility: 94%]
[Warning: Dragons bond through FIRE TRIAL - you must survive his flames or die]
[Bond Ability: Fire Immunity, Extended Lifespan, Enhanced Strength]
[Accept Trial? YES/NO]
"There's a catch," I say slowly. "Your bonding involves fire. A trial."
Draven's grin widens. "Of course. Dragons don't accept weak mates. You survive my fire, you earn my protection. You burn..." He shrugs. "Then you weren't worthy anyway."
"That's insane!"
"That's dragon culture." He extends his hand, and flames dance across his palm. "Choose quickly, little goddess. The Dark King's hunters just entered the forest. You have five minutes to decide: burn with me, or die with your wolf."
Caius makes a strangled sound through our bond. "Isla, no. The fire trial kills most females. Don't—"
"If I don't, we both die anyway." I meet Draven's molten eyes. "And if I survive?"
"Then you're mine. And I protect what's mine with dragonfire and fury." His voice drops to something almost gentle. "I won't let the Dark King take you. That's a dragon's vow."
Through the cave entrance, I see shapes moving through the black snow. Red eyes glowing in the darkness. Dozens of them.
The hunters are here.
The system counts down: [TIME REMAINING: 30 seconds]
Draven's hand stays extended, flames dancing invitation and threat.
Caius whispers through our bond, "I trust you. Whatever you choose."
I look at the approaching hunters. At my weakened mate. At the dragon offering impossible safety at an impossible price.
I take Draven's burning hand.
Pain explodes through my body as fire races up my arm—